Why can't I have a Crosstown?!?!

[bottlerocket]

Anyone know why smart decided not to build the crosstown?? I LOVE the design, size, everything and I hate that its just a design exercise. I think that model would also sell very well.

[Evilution]

I was told that although it was initially a concept (DC owns Jeep, hence the design), smart would reconsider the option of full production depending on how well the 451 sold in America.

[yick yack]

I guess the 451 sells pretty damn good considering it takes forever to get ahold of one...

[mdfortwoguy]

I'd love to see the US make smart explode as a brand... not to harp, but if the smart hype doesn't fall off completely - we could really use some good small euro cars in the US.

[Evilution]

Originally Posted by yick yack

I guess the 451 sells pretty damn good considering it takes forever to get ahold of one...

Nah, smart are doing that on purpose to keep the prices and the interest up.
As soon as the smart becomes a common and easy to get car, interest is lost.

All of the Euro dealers have load of 451s, you can walk in and drive out.
Yet our dealers have weekly deliveries of more cars that just sit around.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by bottlerocket

Anyone know why smart decided not to build the crosstown?? I LOVE the design, size, everything and I hate that its just a design exercise. I think that model would also sell very well.

"its just a design excercise"......guess you answered your own question.

just like any other manufacturer, they come up with some great ideas...some go into production, some don't and some, like my Jeep Compass, don't look like SQUAT compared to the 'Concept Vehicle'.

the original Jeep Compass "Concept" was a TWO DOOR and was way more cool than what they ended up putting in my garage. i still like it for what it is, but ohhhhhhh, the possibilities i could have had with that 'Concept'.......

[mmmeat]

Originally Posted by bottlerocket

Anyone know why smart decided not to build the crosstown?? I LOVE the design, size, everything and I hate that its just a design exercise. I think that model would also sell very well.

"Smart designed a terrific concept car, and all I got was this little avatar."

That's my T-shirt.

There have been a number of concept cars that I would have liked to have seen go into production, but - alas - that's not usually the case with design studies.

I would have liked to have seen the Jeep Renegade concept go into production. I'd even settle for the Hummer HX, Jeep JT, Jeep Liberator or the Ford Bronco concepts to hit showroom floors.

But noooOOOooo. We get 4-door Chargers, redesigned minivans with a gazillion cupholders, Honda Elephants or Elements or whatever they are with sunroofs at the wrong end of the cabin and Hummers with 5-cylinder engines.

What the heck is up with that?

I want my Suzuki Samurai back in production. I want to see better Honda CRXs. I want another Trihawk to be in production using something other than that pancake Citroen engine.

I don't need no skinkin' cupholders.

If they made a diesel Crosstown that had an AWD or 4WD (hey, might as well reach for the stars!) system, I'm sure it would sell like hotcakes to the crowd that wants an off-road vehicle that doesn't cost a fortune to own and operate.

Your pal,
Meat.

[bottlerocket]

I had a suzuki samurai, I liked that little car! Carried me through the end of college

[curtis]

Toyota is even blowing it with the IQ, the original concept design looks cool as all heck and it looks like the production version is the offspring of a Scion and the Yaris. In the past all the USA companies were making SUV's cuz the profit was better but didn't they realize they could have been selling SUV's and micros as a second car to the same customers...?